In part 1 of this guide, you learn from a local how to travel around like a true local. #shiok
This part shall cover the touristy places to go, attractions you need to cover there is so many to do and so little time says many tourists. Don’t worry, this guide is written in a modular format so that you can plan your visit. For time estimation for travel between places you may estimate using google map, they are quite accurate. If they are off, they won’t go beyond 3 minutes off in estimation of timings.
This section shall be broken down into 3 main sections:
- What to see?
- What to do?
- What to eat?
What to See?
The City of course~
There are many things to see in Singapore. I’m quite sure that you have seen photos of Singapore prior to coming here. Like this…
And this…
So, is Singapore really this beautiful? The answer is Yes! Although I must admit the photos seems to have gone through some color balancing making it look extremely pleasing to the eyes. But the real thing is not too shabby too. Singapore is a city made famous by its skyscrapers such as those structures located around the Marina Bay Sands.
Visiting Gardens by the bay and the dome
If you stay at the Marina Bay Sands, a 6-star rated hotel, you might be able to get a view of the garden and it’s a sight to behold. You might be able to see something like this…
The view is stunning. The place is not for one to look at from the outside, the inside of this garden is packed with foreign florals, local breeds, and some genetically modified hybrids. Some tropical and some temperate are included too.
The standard admission fee for an adult for both the conservatories (aka dome) is S$28.00 if you are planning this in your itinerary, you should allocate about 4-hours of time to explore the Garden.
For more information visit Gardens By The Bay Website.
Singapore Zoo & The Night Safari
Located right next to each other, one opens in the day, the other opens in the evening. Offering a distinctly different experience. The Singapore Zoo is home to a myriad of species and animals including polar bears and penguins more suited to temperate climates. Yet they are living happily in this tropical country of Singapore.
Other tropical animals in Singapore includes the zebra and giraffe. Experience feeding carrots to the giraffe too! It’s a must try.
For itinerary planning, you should also allocate about 4-hours for this tour. Traveling time varies on the starting location.
For more information and entry prices, visit the Singapore Zoological Gardens and The Night Safari webpage.
What to do?
Shopping
Singapore is a shopping haven for people who love to shop. The more notable shopping place would include Marina Bay Sands Shoppe, Orchard Ion and Plaza Singapura for sure. Singapore shopping malls are filled with notable brands selling their apparels, food outlet ranging from hawker food, fast food branches and cafes, and leisure & recreational service offerings such as cinemas and massage parlors.
There are more shopping malls than you can count. And wherever your hotel in Singapore is, there will always be a shopping mall near you.
Singapore Flyer
Touted as the highest observation ferry wheel in the world at one point of time. The ferry wheel at its highest point allows you to view islands from our neighboring country and at an extravagant view of the city. A ride on this wheel is going to set you back $33. You may even opt for a meal in this observation wheel with VIP treatment which will cost you $328.90 for 2.
For more information, visit the Singapore Flyer Website.
Universal Studios Singapore
The signature theme park of Singapore. There are more shopping in this theme park, but for the adrenaline junkie, there are the thrilling rides. There are dining places to fill your gut with more than just butterflies. If you are an avid movie fan, if you are lucky, you may just be able to meet your favorite movie characters. During the Halloween month, you may even get to visit the haunted houses for a scare of a lifetime.
The ticket prices to USS ranges. Proceed to their website to find out more. Universal Studios Singapore Website.
What to eat?
Ayam Rendang Nasi Lemak
Nope, ayam rendang is not supposed to be crispy. This is a Malay chicken dish that the chicken is cooked and coated in an orange color curry sauce filled with local spices. Most of the time, you could smell this dish from afar. Nasi Lemak is basically rice cooked with coconut milk, the rice is soft and fragrant and totally worth a try. To eat authentic Ayam Rendang Nasi Lemak, you may like to visit this place:
The Local Box
Address: #01-05, 8 ENGGOR STREET, 079718
Hainanese Chicken Rice
If there is a dish that could define the culture and the pinnacle of all Singaporean food, it must be Hainanese Chicken Rice. Chicken rice is a dish that is commonly available in Singapore and you can find them in many hawker centers. Some hawker centers even if multiple chicken rice stores. There is a famous local chicken rice store that beat even the famous chef Gordon Ramsay and it’s Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. The main difference between the normal chicken rice and Hainanese chicken rice is the rice itself and the cooking method of the chicken. The rice is cooked with a Hainanese secret sauce that contains chicken fats and ginger, the chicken is cooked with stuffed spices, garlic, onion, and other Hainanese secret ingredients. Some believe that one of the secret ingredients is pandan leaf. Sink your teeth into, probably, the best Chicken Rice in the world at:
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Address: #01-15 HOTEL BOSS FOODCLIQUE, 500 JALAN SULTAN, 199020
Kway Chap
Kway Chap (or Kuey Chap) is a uniquely Singapore dish that is filled with pig innards (it sounds gross to some) and cooked in a special dark and savory sauce and is eaten together with a thin white noodle made from rice flour. This dish also contains fish cakes, egg and tau pok. Many hawker centers sell kway chap but you might find your favorite at this place
Old Bugis Kway Chap
Address: STALL #01-38 KOPITIAM SQUARE, 10 SENGKANG SQUARE, 544829
Roti Prata
Roti Prata is a traditional Indian food. Most often eaten during breakfast, but you can really eat it anytime you want. Traditionally, roti prata are either kosong (no filling) or egg prata (roti prata with egg). But in recent years, there is the emergence of non-traditional but equally nice prata such as cheese prate, mushroom prata, tissue prata, Nutella prata and more. Roti prata is eaten with curry cooked with Indian spices such as Fish Curry, Chicken Curry, and Mutton Curry. You may just find your favorite prata at this place:
Springleaf Prata Place
Address: THE RAIL MALL, 396 UPPER BUKIT TIMAH ROAD, 678040
Durian
Speak to Singaporeans and you will realize that most of us love durians. Durians, the extreme food of South East Asia, you either extremely love it or extremely hate it. In Singapore, Durian is also dubbed as the king of food. Some people find the smell of durian smelly. But most people find it nice (Singaporeans mostly). Every country has an odd fruit that only natives from the country find nice, we believe durian is our odd fruit and a signature of Singapore. Do try it. Where to find it? Any fruit stall along Geylang. Hop on a cab and get them to bring you to Geylang and say you want to eat durian, and they will bring you to durian heaven.
Bonus: Food App for discounts and other recommendations.
Eatigo – A food app that allows you to eat at outlets during non-peak hours for a discount. Some discounts are as much as 40%.
HungryGoWhere – An app that recommends places to go for your next meal. It uses location services to help you find the nearest makan (eating) place. You get to check out the menu and review before going over.
Fave – Recommends places to eat with a discount. Some outlets allow you to pay with their integrated payment gateway making mobile payment possible. Fave also have other deals other than food.
Bonus2: Food delivery app – below, a list of services with a mobile app that delivers food to your doorstep:
- Grab Food
- Deliveroo
- Food Panda
- Honestbee
The above content does not exactly do justice to the great city of Singapore. Of course, there are more activities available in Singapore, than visiting touristy places. There are other activities in Singapore which may not involve a single cent but fun and considered more ‘localize’. Meaning when Singaporeans engage in such activities, we often do not see many foreigners and we will share that in the upcoming part. Caution: You may just fall in love with Singapore after that. Stay tuned.
Check out my other posts in this series:
Part 1 of 3: How to travel like a true local
Part 3 of 3 <<not released>>
Just Better Lah! 